Quick Fixes…if You’re Lucky
Pro tip! Try these steps over the sink to help you avoid a mess should your shaker open, unexpectedly. Also, be very careful when dealing with a stuck or frozen-together cocktail shaker. Unexpected things can happen, and safety should always be your priority.
- Patience is a Virtue.
Although there are other tricks to try, this is really the only one you need—leave the shaker sit at room temperature until the frost on the outside melts. A little time and melted ice might be all you need. - Tap it out (2-tin shaker, only).
Place the shaker on a flat surface. Hold the bottom tin and firmly tap the edge of the top tin with the heel of your hand. This breaks the vacuum seal. Do not try this method with a glass shaker! - Heat / cool combo.
Wrap a hot, damp towel around the bottom tine for a few seconds. The heat expands the metal, loosening the seal. Still stuck? Alternate this with placing the shaker in the freezer for a (hopefully) supercharged result. - The Rubber Band Hack.
Wrap a thick rubber band around the edge of the top tin for extra grip. Combine this with a confident twist, and voilà! - Invert and Shake.
If the drink inside has frozen the seal shut, flip the shaker upside down and shake. The ice can help break things loose.
What Not to Do!
Few things dampen your cocktail enthusiasm faster than a Boston shaker refusing to cooperate. But please, resist the temptation to grab tools—especially knives—to pry the shaker open. You risk injury or damaging your barware. And unless you’re in a cartoon, no mallets, please!
Do not use any open flames, like stove burners, to try to expand the metal tin. The pressure you risk building inside could literally explode the tin, causing a hospital visit in your near future. Stick to the hot towel method mentioned, above.
Why Do Boston Shakers Get Stuck?
The main culprit is temperature. Ice-cold cocktails can cause the metal to contract, creating a tight seal between the tin and the glass. Other factors? Overzealous force when sealing the shaker or vacuum pressure from a vigorous shake session. It’s not you; it’s science.
Pro Tips to Prevent the Great Shaker Struggle
- Don’t over-force the seal—just a snug fit will do.
- Use a towel to dry the edges of both tins before sealing to avoid liquid freezing between them.
- Invest in a quality shaker; they are made of stronger materials that will resist temperature shock and fit together like a glove.
